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Good morning, Bend! I hope everyone has a safe 4th of July. It’s looking like it’ll be a perfect weekend out there.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro 

Support for Life's Big Transitions

Dr. Heather Dumser is a psychologist who helps adults move through change with steady, compassionate support. After more than a decade caring for veterans and clients in medical settings, she opened her own practice, blending evidence-based therapy with mindfulness and clinical hypnosis to help you feel like yourself again or discover who you are now.

Life transitions: Career shifts, relationship changes, new chapters that leave you feeling lost and overwhelmed. Heather helps you find solid footing and move forward with clarity.

Trauma therapy: A collaborative, holistic approach to processing difficult experiences at your own pace.

Health & cancer support: Specialized care for the emotional side of a diagnosis or major health change, for patients and the people who love them.

Heather offers in-person and telehealth sessions in Bend, with free phone consultation slots available as early as today.

Schedule your free 15-minute consultation here →

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Well, the stars are aligning quite nicely this year with Munch & Music launching yesterday, First Friday today, and then the 4th of July festivities tomorrow. And to top it off, the weather is looking a whole lot better than last weekend. You all know the drill by now: head to the Old Mill from 3 - 6 PM and downtown Bend from 5 - 8 PM to check out the art, chat with local businesses, enjoy some live music, and enjoy what should be a lovely July evening in Bend.

The Old Mill has teamed up with Portland artist Mike Bennett (odds are you’ll know his work when you see it) to hide 15 of his animal characters around the Old Mill. You can grab a scavenger hunt sheet from the ticket mill, and kiddos who complete the hunt will win a small prize. Each animal also includes a QR code that you can scan to learn a little more about the real species behind the art.

🍦 Porch Swing launches an ice cream truck tracker: Ziggy's has teamed up with the local buy nothing app Porch Swing to put both of its ice cream trucks on a live map as they roll around Bend. Opt-in and you'll get a push notification the moment a truck is heading your way. Just enough lead time to grab your wallet or stage a strategic distraction for the kiddos. Tap the ice cream icon in the Porch Swing app to start tracking.

🍿 Brown Bag Popcorn grand reopening & anniversary celebration: Brown Bag Popcorn is ready to show off their new digs to the world with a grand reopening (and fourth anniversary) celebration on First Friday. Come check out the space (it’s just across the street from their old location), enjoy some sips, and see which downtown business rep can take home the crown at their annual popcorn eating contest.

📸 @oneillsummereats |📍Mirror Pond
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Heka Healing is moving!

Galveston Ave is getting a new business as Andi of Heka Healing has purchased the old Creative Hair Graphics building. My first question (after saying congratulations) was whether Sol Verde was staying—good news: they are!

While renovations are underway, Heka Healing is still offering advanced regenerative laser, shockwave, and EMTT therapy at their space at 888 NW Hill Street. 

If you're dealing with a recent injury, a nagging injury, chronic pain, or recovering from surgery, Heka Healing's non-invasive regenerative therapies help stimulate your body's natural healing process. 

From tendinitis and scar tissue to joint pain and plantar fasciitis, treatments are designed to help you recover faster and get back to doing what you love.

Learn more and book your free 15-minute consultation here →

🎉 First Friday Block Party: The Commons throws open the doors for another First Friday block party. Good people, live music, and a great way to kick off a long weekend. 5:30 PM The Commons

🌾 Elevation Farmers Market: The Friday market at Elevation Bend gets a little extra this week with live line dancing. Grab your produce and your dancing shoes. 3 PM Elevation Bend

🌅 Sunset Yoga & Reflection: Wind down the pre-holiday evening with sunset yoga at Free Spirit's Old Mill location. 7:15 PM Free Spirit Old Mill

😂 What's So Funny About Happiness: Anthony Poponi and friends bring a comedy showcase to Oregon Spirits Distillers for a 4th of July eve that starts the celebration early. 7 PM Oregon Spirits Distillers

🎆 Bend Elks Fireworks Night: Want to enjoy the fireworks a night early? Head to the Elks game for their annual post-game fireworks show. And to cover all our bases (har har) for the rest of the weekend… After Saturday’s game, you can stick around and watch the Pilot Butte fireworks from the stadium. Sunday’s game is Bark at the Park, where you can bring your furry friend to the game. 6 PM Vince Genna Stadium

✨ Stars & Stripes: A neighborhood celebration at Discovery West with a drone show, community, and all the patriotic feels. 8 PM Discovery West

💿 Time Capsule Dance Party: A dance party at UPP Liquids taking you back through the decades. 9 PM UPP Liquids

🐾 Pet Parade: Dress up your pets and parade them through Bend in the most wholesome 4th of July tradition in town. 9:30 AM Downtown Bend

🏋 Red, White, and Lift: Get your 4th started right with a morning workout with RuckTalks and Lift Fitness Studio. 6 AM Lift Fitness Studio

🏛️ History Bricks: Remember a while back how we told you that the Deschutes History Museum was holding a contest where folks could recreate local historical landmarks out of Lego? The creations go on display today, and the museum is open all day for an open house. 10 AM Deschutes Historical Museum

🌾 NWX Farmers Market: Even on the 4th, the Northwest Crossing market shows up with fresh produce and local goods. 10 AM Northwest Crossing

🚲 Freedom Ride: After the parade is over, it’s time to hop on your bike, trike, or scooter and take to the streets with this annual Bend tradition. 10 AM Location IYKYK

🎉 On Tap 4th of July Party: A proper 4th of July celebration at On Tap with cold drinks, good company, and all the patriotic energy you can handle. 11 AM On Tap

😂 The Gateway Show: Stand-up comedy (with a twist). You’ll just have to click through to the event to get all the smoke. 7:30 PM Bunk & Brew

🎆 4th of July Watch Party at UPP Liquids: Watch the fireworks with a crowd at UPP Liquids for a 4th of July sendoff done right. 9 PM UPP Liquids

🎉 4th of July Block Party: Bring the family to celebrate the 4th with an evening of food, sno cones, bouncy houses, and a spot to watch the Pilot Butte fireworks show. 6 PM Faith Christian Center

🇺🇸 Celebrating America’s 250th: Head to the VFW to enjoy some ribs and live music to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. 2 PM VFW Post 1643

💦 Tetherow 4th of July Celebration: This one will be fun for the whole family as Tetherow is bringing in lawn games, a giant slip & slide, arts & crafts, bubbles, and more. 12 PM Tetherow Resort

🎉 Red, White, & Boom: And last, but not least, another 4th celebration for the whole family with bouncy houses, food, kids’ activities, and more. 5 PM Real Life Christian Church

🎆 Pilot Butte Fireworks: Gather round for the annual fire on Pilot Butte. There’s no bad seat in town to watch the fireworks, so as long as you have a view of the butte, you should be good to go. 10 PM Pilot Butte

🌾 Summer Sunday Market: Join Cheba Hut at their summer market featuring tasty sandos and local vendors. 12 PM Cheba Hut

⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026: Watch the World Cup at the Central Library in what is possibly the most unexpected and wonderful venue for a watch party in Bend. 1 PM Central Library

🏐 HDVA Open Net: Join the High Desert Volleyball Association for an open net afternoon at Riverbend Park. Here you can play some pickup volleyball, enjoy a burger, and learn more about how they’re working to expand the sand volleyball opportunities at Pine Nursery. 2 PM Riverbend Park

🛶 Bend Boarding Babes River Paddle: It’s gonna be the perfect weekend for a paddle! Want to join a cool crew of ladies on the river? Bend Boarding Babes is hosting a group paddle, and you’re invited! 1 PM 266 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr.

🦙 Alpaca Piano Picnic: Live piano music by Paula Dreyer surrounded by alpacas at Flying Dutchman farm. How can you go wrong with that combo?? 2 PM Flying Dutchman Alpacas

🎵 Turf Tunes at SHARC: Head down to Sunriver for a free outdoor concert at the SHARC to close out the holiday weekend. 5 PM SHARC

😂 Zarna Garg: Million Dollar Excuses: The hilarious Zarna Garg brings her tour back to the Tower Theatre for a Sunday night that'll have you laughing until it hurts. 7 PM Tower Theatre

G-Bots & The Journeymen | The Commons | 5:30 PM
Bigfoot County | Boneyard Pub | 6 PM
Jordan Madsen Duo | Currents at the Riverhouse | 6 PM
Cover Story | Brown Bag Popcorn | 5 PM
Rambler Kane | On Tap | 6 PM 
Band of Comerados | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Smoker Dad | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets

Coyote Rider | CHOW | 11 AM 
Midnight Cove | On Tap | 5 PM 
Shine | Bend Brewing | 12 PM
Travis Ehrenstrom | Bend Brewing | 2:30 PM
Dive Bar Theology | Bend Brewing | 5 PM
Eric Leadbetter & Pete Kartsounes | Ballers & Brews | 12 PM
Jackrat | Worthy Brewing | 1 PM
Dad Bods | Worthy Brewing | 5 PM
Sleepless Truckers | Worthy Brewing | 8 PM
Call Down Thunder | Silver Moon | 6 PM | Tickets
JuJu Eyeball | The Commonwealth Pub | 7 PM
Brent Alan & His Funky Friends | On Tap | 8 PM
Bong Wizard | The Domino Room | 8:30 PM | Tickets

T5 Jazz Duo | Currents at the Riverhouse | 11 AM
Souljers Rising | Deschutes Brewery | 4 PM
Bigfoot County | GoodLife Brewing | 4 PM
Mark Hencel & Chance the Fiddler | 10 Barrel Westside | 5 PM
Float Like a Buffalo | Silver Moon | 6 PM | Tickets
Eric Leadbetter & Pete Katsounes | River’s Place | 6 PM

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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